Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-12-08

a.z-zsz.s-e
that part Of the tariff now laid.upon such
product es a compensation to cur manufac-
lures for the present price Of raw material
could he occasionally modified. Such re-
duction, or free importation, would serve
beside to largely reduce the revenue
It is not apparent how such change
cSn have any injurious effect upon
our Manufacturers On the contrary. it
would appear to give thsm better chance
in foreign markets with the manufacturers
OF other coun--ias, wHo clea?,l shsir wares
by free material. Thus our people might
have the o921rtaais- Of e. Ell iiIs t2sir
sales beyond ths Limit Of home conSump-
tion, saving them the depression of inter-
rupt.oa in D;4Sineis adi loss c4ISed by a
elutte3 domestic market, alI afOriinE
their employees more certain and steady
labor, with its resulting quiet and content
uient The question thus impsratively pro-
sented for solution should be approached in
a spirit higher than partisGuship and con-
sidered in the light of that regard for patri-
otto duty which should characterize tho
action Of those intruStei with the veal of
confiding people. But the obligation to de-
clared party policy and principle is not
wanting to urge prompt and effective
action.
3
resented in the government have, by re-
peated and authoritive declarations, con-
demned the condition o. our laws which per-
nit the collection from the people Of unnecss-
sary revenue, and have, in the most solemn
manner promised its correction; and neither
as citizens or partisians are our coUntrvmen
in mood 10 condone the deliberate violation
Of these pledges. Our progress toward a
wise conclusion will not bs improved by
dwelling upon the theories of protection and
free trade. This savors too much of handy
ing epithets 1t is a condition which con-
fronts Us not theory. \ RELIEF from this
condition may involve a Slight reduction OF
OF the advantages which we award our home
productions. But the entire withdrawal of
such advantages should not bs contemplated
The question OF free trade is absolutely ir-
relevant; AMI tbs persistent claim mado in
certain quarters that all efforts to relieve
the people from unjust and unnecessary
taxation, ere schemes OF so-called free
traders, is mischievous and far removed
from any consideration for the public good.
The simple and plain duty which we owe
the people is TO reduce taxation to the
necessary expenses Of an economical opera
tion OF the government, and to restore to
ths business of the country the money
which We hold in the treasury through the
perversion of governmental powers These
things can and should be done with safety
to all our industries, without danger to the
opportunity for remunerative labor which
our workingmen need and with hsnsfs to
them and all our people, by cLsapeninS
their means OF existence aud inc-uas;ng the
measure of their comforts.
The constitution provides that the presi-
dent shall, from time to time, give to tho
1f Of
1t has been the custom Of the executive in
compliance with this provision, to annually
exhibit TO the congress, at the opening Of
its session, the general condition of the
country aud to detail, with some particu-
lRrity the operations OF the different execu-
tive departments. 1t would be especially
agreeable to follow this course at the pres
en5 time, and to call attention to tha valua-
bic accomplishments of these departments
during the last fiscal year. But | am 50
much impressed with the paramount i'm
.portance, of the subject to which this COM
rlunicatiOn has thus far been devoted, that
l shall forego the addition OF any other
topic, and only urge upon your Immediate
consideration the 'sJate of the union" as
shown in tho present condition OF cur treas
ury and oar general fiscal situation, upon
which every element of our safety and
The reports OF the hea6j of departments,
which viii be submitted, contain fuil and
explicit Information touching the tran sac
tions Of the business intrusted to their, and
such recommendations relating TO le:isis-
tior il the public interests as they iaen al
v.sable. I ask for these reports and recon-
mendations the deliberate examination and
action of the legislative branch Of the gov
ernment. There are otder subjects not en-
bracei in the departmental reports, de-
manding legislative consideration, and
which I should be glad to submit. Some Of
them, however, have tepen earnestly pre-
sented in previous messages, and as to them
l beg Leave to repeat as to prior recon-
mendations AS the law makes no provision
for any report from the department OF
state, brief history of the transactions oi
that important department.. together with
other matters, which il may hereafter be
deemed essential to commend to the atteu-
ton OF the congress, may furnish tho cca-
sion for future communication.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
WASHINGTON. D3csmbsc Il. .z2